Phoenix Rising (2008)Brass Band

Difficulty: 5Duration: c. 5 minutesPublisher: Wright and Round Ltd.

Composed for the 2008 Mineworkers and All England Masters champions, Desford Colliery Band, Phoenix Rising pays homage to the band’s recent resurgence as a real force in the banding movement, echoing its prominence in the contest scene of the 1980s and 90s.

Emulating the rise of a Phoenix from the flames, the piece juxtaposes sweeping melodic gesture and relentless driving rhythm, culminating in a high adrenaline tour de force.

The work received its official world premier at the Regent Hall Festival of Brass gala concert on the eve of the 2008 National Brass Band Championships and has since been taken up by bands across the globe, seeing performances in New Zealand and Belgium.